Machine for freezing packaged products



6 Sheets-Sheet l l. H. POLK MACHINE FOR FREEZING PACKAGED PRODUCTS March17, 1953 Filed Dec. 18, 1948 INVENTOR ISAAC H. POLK ATTORNEYS March 17,1953 l. H. POL'K MACHINE FOR FREEZING PACKAGED PRODUCTS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Dec. 18, 1948 mm K m0 mm. M2

09 kww w m vw mm INVENTOR ISAAC H. POLK ATTORNEYS I. H. POLK MACHINE FORFREEZING PACKAGED PRODUCTS March 17, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec.18, 1948 INVENTOR ISAAC H. POLK ATTORNEYS March 17, 1953 l. H. POLKMACHINE FOR FREEZING PACKAGED PRODUCTS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 18,1948 FIG. l4.

r lo.

INVENTOR ISAAC H. POLK FIG. 9.

FIG. 8.

ATTORNEYS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 I. H. POLK MACHINE FOR FREEZING PACKAGEDPRODUCTS FIG. l2.

Filed Dec.

IT L i- INVENTOR ISAAC H. POLK ATTORNEYS nos 15 l3 I4 I75 I72 I73 I34 ms136 mu FIG. I3.

I08 us H7 96 a4 I. H. POLK MACHINE FOR FREEZING PACKAGED PRODUCTS March17, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. l6 b.

Filed Dec. 18, 1948 FIG. l6a.

INVENTOR H. POLK ISAAC BY v ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 17, 1953 MACHINE FORFREEZING PACKAGED PRODUCTS Isaac H. Polk, San Jose, Calif.

Application December 18, 1948, Serial No. 66,050

21 Claims.

This invention relates generally to apparatus for the. sharp or. quickfreezing of packaged food. More particularly the invention is animprovement upon the inventions set forth in my copending applicationsfor patent Serial No. 691,962 for Tunnel Freezing Apparatus and Methodand Serial No. 8,553 for Vertical Pressure Plate Food Freezing Machineand Method. Reference is made to said applications for an explanation ofthe many disadvantages of presentday apparatus in commercial use withwhich I am familiar.

An object'of this invention is to provide a novel automatic machine forthe sharp freezing of packaged food wherein a large number of packagescan be progressively frozen in such a manner that intermittently withinshort intervals of time a given number of frozen packages can bedelivered by the machine and a like number of unfrozen packages fed tothe machine.

Another object is to provide amachine of this type embodying verticallydisposed freezing plates between which the packages are receivedtogether with improved means for suspending the plates and for causingvertical movement thereof when desired. A further object is to provideimproved apparatus for moving the plates toward and. away from eachother and for maintaining the plates in pressure engagement withpackages of food disposed between them.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a new and improvedmethod of and means for charging or loading the machine with packagesand for discharging or unloading packages from the machine. In thisconnection it is an object to provide a method of and means forintermittently feeding a limited number of packages into the machine atthe top thereof and intermittently removing a, like number from thebottom; of thev machine while maintaining the machine chargedwith alarger number of packages in progressive stages of freezing.

' Another object is to provide a method of and means forremoving theoutermost, such as the lowermost, row of frozen packages from betweenthe plates, together with a method and means for rupturing frostadhesions which may exist between the said row of packages and the nextad- Jacent row of packages.

A still further object is to provide a freezing machine wherein thenewly added unfrozen packages are subjected, during handling andfreezing, to less pressure than those which are frozen.

Another bject is plp ovis s im roved means for periodically de-icing thesurfaces of the freezing plates, together with improved means foractuating the de-icing means.

These and other objects will be apparent from the description and thedrawings.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

Fig.1 is an elevational view of the side of a machine embodying theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a'sectional plan view on line 4-4 of Fig. 1; I

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on the line 55 of Fig.1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig.1;

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of the left end of the machine shown inFig. 1;

Fig 8. is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a section on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary detail section of one adjustable'stop for anend of one of the hangers;

Fig. 12 is a section on the line l2-I2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary elevational view of one of the de-icing andpackage supporting elements as on the line l3-l3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged section on the line i l-l4 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged section on the line 15-! 5 of Fig. 13; and

Figs. 16a to 161 are diagrammatic views show-' ing the operation of themachine.

More particularly describing the invention, reference numeral! Igenerally indicates a frame which is shown as made up of four cornerposts I2 connected together at their lower ends by longitudinallyextending base members l3, each comprising a pair of rails M. of anglecross section, and. by cross members l5 of like construction. The postssupport upper longitudinally extending frame elements I6 of box-likesection which are connected by end cross members i? and I1. Intermediatethe upper and lower ends of the posts are longitudinally extending frameelements 20. Certain other elements of the frame will be describedlater. However, the details of the frame itself are unimportant insofaras their exact construction and the means for securing the partstogether are concerned.

Mounted on the frame in a manner to be described are three verticallydisposed freezing plates indicated by 25, 26, and 21, respectively. Anynumber of such plates may be provided, and the three shown are merelyillustrative of a simple form of the invention. The plates are adaptedto receive between them packages of food P to be frozen, and thesepackages are preferably disposed with their least dimension at rightangles to the plates to provide for the most efficient freezing of theproduct within the packages.

The plates are provided with planiform parallel outer surfaces and arehollow or partial- 1y hollow to permit the circulation of refrigeranttherethrough which may be introduced through the inlets 3t and removedthrough outlets 3!. The construction of the interior of the plates isimmaterial to this invention and reference is made to myabovereferred-to copending applications for constructions which may beused. Preferably the outer sides of the outer plates are covered with athick layer of heat insulation indicated at 32.

The two outer plates '25 and 21 are mounted for movement laterally ofthe central plate 26, and all plates are mounted for a variable limitedamount of vertical movement. The plates are supported at each end onhangers 34 which extend transversely of the frame and are guided forvertical movement between rails 35 and posts l2. The hangers each areprovided with a pair of slots 36 which receive rollers 31 mounted onbrackets 38 on the two outer plates. This construction permitsadjustable limited lateral movement of the plates relative to thehangers.

The central plate is also supported on the hangers. Intermediate slots35, each hanger is provided with a bolt receiving hole 45 (Figs. 7 andwhich receives a stud bolt 4| mounted in a bracket 42 on the centralplate.

The hangers are mounted at each end upon hydraulic supports generallyindicated by 48 (Figs. '7 and 8). These supports each comprise acylinder 49 pivotally mounted on a vertically extending bracket 45 whichis welded or otherwise secured to the longitudinally extending frameelement at. The cylinders 49 contain doubleacting pistons 56 which haveupwardly extending piston rods 5| provided with a clevis joint member 52which is secured to the hanger bar by a pin 53. In the normal positionof the plates hydraulic fluid in the cylinders 49' serves to hold thepistons extended with the hangers in their uppermost position as shownin the drawings.

Stops 55 comprising set screws 55a. mounted in the guide rails providean adjustable means for limiting downward movement of the hangers.

Means are provided for moving the two outer plates toward and away fromthe central plate. This means comprises a plurality of verticallyextending pivotally mounted bell cranks of which three are shown mountedon each side or the outer plate between frame elements It and 26. Ineach set of bell cranks the end cranks, which are identical, areindicated by numeral 80, and the center one by 65. Each crank has a pairof spaced arms 62 which are connected to the outer plates by rods 63having ball ends received in sockets 64 (Fig. 6) on the outer faces ofthe outer plates and sockets 65 at the ends of the cranks.-

Each set of cranks 60iii is actuated by a hydraulic mean which includesa cylinder t8 pivotally mounted on a bracket 69 fastened to the upperframe element It. The cylinder contains a double-acting piston it havinga piston rod il which is adjustably secured to an actuat' ing crank arm72 attached to the central bell crank 6|. The crank arm forms part of asplit collar '13 (Fig. 5) to facilitate the proper adjustment of themechanism. In order to limit relative movement of the bell cranks, andthence the plates, depending bars 74 and it are mounted on the upperframe elements It of the frame. These members are provided with inwardlyextending set crews :5 which can be adjusted to provide abutments forend portions i3 of the split collar 13. It will be apparent that suchadjustment is necessary to adjust the apparatus to accommodate packagesof various widths.

A connecting rod llserves to transmit the motion of the center crank 6|to the end cranks ac, the rod being connected to arm '12 of crank 5i andarms 79 of cranks 6i Outward move ment of the piston Ill serves torotate the central crank in a direction to cause the rods to moveinwardly and thus move the associated plates in a like direction.Opposite movement of the piston, of course, moves the plates outwardly.

The apparatus is. provided with mean for supporting the packages whenthe same are not held supported solely by the freezing plates. Theapparatus is also provided with means for applying a deicing fluid tothe surfaces of the plates whenever this is desirable. best shown inFigs. 2, 3, 12, 13, and 14. Referring to these figures, 82 generallyindicates a package support and deicing member. It is contemplated thatone such member is provided for each space between plates and, in theform of the invention shown, two such members are utilized. Thesemembers each comprise an elongated body 83 extending the length of theplates having upper and lower longitudinally extending portions 85 and85, respectively, and upright end portions 36. The upper portion 84 isadapted to receive a package support table 88 which, in the form of theinvention shown, comprises a hat member 89 having a depending centralrib 99 which is received within a groove in the upper portion 8d of thepackage support and deicing member. The table is preferably secured inplace by a suitable number of machine screws 92 as shown in Fig. 14.Various width tables may be interchangeably mounted so that a table ofappropriate width may be used, depending upon the width of the packagesbeing frozen.

The package support and de-icing member also carries a longitudinallyextending pipe 9 3 which is provided with an inlet pipe 95 (Fig. 13)leading from an inlet passage 95 which may be connected by a hose 9'! toa source of fluid. The pipe 94 has a plurality of spray heads 96designed to spray a de-icing fluid ontov the walls of the freezingplateswhen the de-icing apparatus is raised between the plates. The pipe issupported between posts 99 extending between the pipe and the upper andlower portions of the member 82.

The member 82 is provided with two pairs of wipers indicated by Hill andIE1. The upper set of wipers I06] comprises flexible rubber-like strips32 mounted in suitable holders I03 which are adjustably secured to theupperportion 84 of member 82 by screws I04. The lower wipers it! alsocomprise fiat rubber-like strips 132 mounted in holders I05 which aresecured to the lower portion 85 of member 82.

The function of the wipers is the same as that in my copendingapplications previously referred to, namely, the lower wipers serving tospread the de-icing fluid as the same is sprayed from Such apparatus is.

heads 96 of pipe 94 during upward movement of the apparatusbetweenplates; the upper wiper elements being adapted to more firmlyengage the surfaces of the plates so that on downward movement of thedevice these will substantially remove the fluid and any melted frostfrom the plates.

Each of the members 82 is suspended on a pair of vertically extendingchains individually designated by numerals I08 and I119. The chains aresupported at their upper ends on sprocket wheels IIIl mounted on a shaftIII which may be journaled to the frame of the machine in any suitablemanner. At their lower ends the chains pass around sprocket wheels I I2and I I3 mounted on shafts H4 and H5, respectively. Each end of a member82 is secured to its corresponding chain as by means of a bracket I I1thereon (Fig. 13) which receives the chain and is secured to it bysuitable pins I I8. The bracket is provided with a serrated outersurface I to receive the chain links and sprocket wheel.

The shafts H4 and H5 are actuated by a hydraulic means including acylinder !22 which contains a piston (not shown) to which is attached achain I23 which extends around a sprocket wheel I24 mounted on shaft IE4and around a sprocket I25 mounted on a countershaft I26 at the oppositeend of the frame. The end of this chain is connected to the piston rod#21 which extends from the cylinder I22. Intermeshing pinions I28 andI29 are provided on shafts I26 and H5.

With this construction movement of the piston Within cylinder I22 willcause movement of the chain I23 thereby rotating the shafts II and H5,and the sprockets I I2 and H3 keyed thereto thereby imparting movementto the member 82.

For reasons which will later become apparent it is desirable to be ableto raise the package support and ole-icing members 82 a predetermineddistance when desired to engage and support the lowermost row ofpackages in the machine. To accomplish this, means are providedindependent of the heretofore described means for raising the members82, for effecting such movement. This means comprises three rotativelymounted horizontally extending cranks I32. These elements may besupported in any suitable manner on the frame for rotation. Each memberis provided with a pair of arms I33 which carry a roller I34 rotatablymounted thereon. The lower edges of the members 82 rest upon and aresupported by the rollers I34 when the members 82 are in their lowermostposition. Each of the members I32 is provided with a crank arm I35, andthese are connected by a connecting rod I31. Actuating means is providedfor the members I32 in the form of a hydraulic unit comprising acylinder 638 pivotally mounted on a bracket I39 attached to the frame.The cylinder contains a piston (not shown) and an outwardly extendingpiston rod I49 which i pivotally connected to an actuating arm MImounted on the member i372 shown at the left end of Fig. 4.

It will be apparent that by actuating the hydraulic unit the members 82may be oammed upwardly. In order to limit the extent of-this upwardmovement a stop means is provided which consists of a removable stop 544on a bracket I45 at the end of the cylinder I22. It may be stated inthis connection that in the normal operation of the device bothcylinders H38 and 522 are actuated simultaneously, and the stop servesto limit travel of the chain I23.

The machine is provided with means for forming a package deliverysurface generally indicated by numeral I50 below the lower ends of theplates. The surface is made up in part by the tables at the upper endsof elements 82 and in part by the plates I5I and I52. The plates may beattached to the frame in any suitable manner. Plate I52 is preferablymade so that it may be adjusted laterally as may be necessary where thedevice is adjusted to accommodate different sized packages. Forming asubstantial continuation of the surface I59 is a conveyer I54 of anysuitable endless type. Adapted to operate over the package deliverysurface is a pair of package sweeps, indicated generally by numerals I58and I51. The sweeps each consist of an elongated rail I 58 of generallyangle cross section having a protruding rib I59 on their inner faces.Each sweep is actuated by three hydraulic units I69, each of whichconsists of a cylinder having a double-acting piston with an extendingpiston rod I62 attached to the sweep. The cylinders are supported onbrackets 863 which are dependently mounted from the frame members 20.

The machine is also provided with a central rail I55, the purpose ofwhich is to act in coordination with the sweeps to cause tilting of arow of packages extending below the freezing plates to break the sameaway from the packages immediately above and. to which they may beattached by frost adhesions as will be explained. The rail, normally inlowered position, comprises a flat bordy I66 terminating at its upperedge in a bulbous-like head I651. The rail is received within alongitudinally extending recess I59 in a rail guard I19 mounted on theframe in any suitable manner. Any suitable means may be provided forraising the rail from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 12 tothe broken-line position thereof in the figure. This may be donehydraulically as by means of one or more pistons I12 operating incylinders I13 below the member I65.

Since the member 82 is used for applying a deicing fluid to the surfacesof the plates and thereafter removing the same, a drip pan I15 isprovided at the lower part of the frame beneath the de-icing members,and a conduit IE5 may be pro vided for conveying the fluid away.

It is contemplated that various hydraulic systerns may be used foroperating the hydraulic units previously described and that any suitablecontrol means may be used for coordinating the movements of the pistonsto achieve operation of the machine in a manner to be described, and itis therefore thought unnecessary to describe a system.

' Referring now to Figs. 16a to 16f, inclusive, for a description of apreferred method of operating the machine, although the machine may beoperated in various Ways, the following is the method Or way in whichthe machine is designed to be operated.

Assuming that the machine has been charged with a load of packages offood or the like and that the contents of the packages are progressivelyfrozen from bottom to top, the ones on top being unfrozen and the onesat the bottom being completely frozen and at the lowest temperaturedesired, the machine will be in the position such that the plates 25,26, and 21 are in their uppermost position and in firm pressureengagement with the packages. Assuming then that the lowermost row ofpackages is ready for removal f om the machine. the packa e s pp 32 aremoved upwardly to engage the lower edges of the lowermost row ofpackages as shown in Fig. 1612. This movement is accomplished by theactuation of hydraulic unit I38 which rotates the cranks I32 and raisesthe members 82 a predetermined distance which is the distance necessaryto cause the tables to engage the lower edges of the lowermost row ofpackages.

The next step comprises the movement of the plates to the position inwhich they are shown in Fig. 161). This is accomplished by relieving thepressure of plates against the packages and then moving the platesdownwardly to shear any frost adhesions between the plates and packages.In the operation of the device it is preferable to merely relieve thepressure of the plates against the Sides of the packages and then movethe plates downwardly without appreciably opening them any farther untilthe frost or ice adhesions between the packages and plates are ruptured.Practicably, this is accomplished by applicants device by connecting theinner ends of the cylinders E8 (the pistons of which actuate the plateslaterally) to the upper ends of the cylinders as which form part of thehanger and plate supporting apparatus, and to a common source ofhydraulic fluid under pressure and at the same time relieving thepressure at the opposite ends of the cylinders. When pressure fiuid isintroduced into the inner ends of the cylinders 68 and the upper ends ofthe cylinders 58, since the packages are presumably adhering to theplates and the plates are in pressure engagement with the packages, thefirst action that takes place is the relieving of the pressure againstthe packages. Following this the fluid acting on the piston in cylinders28, the eifective area of which greatly exceeds the effective area ofthe pistons in cylinders 58, together with a force of gravity acting onthe plates, forces the plates down, shearing any frost adhesions. Oncethe adhesions have been ruptured the plates are free to separate widelyenough to permit of the easy removal of packages from between them.

In the lower position( Fig. 16b) the lower edges of the plates are at adistance above the package delivery surface equal to the height of thepackages. During the downward movement of the plates the rail I65 movesupwardly as shown in the figure.

In the next operation the package supporting members as are lowered totheir original position as shown in Fig. 160.

As the packages move down from the position of Fig. 16b to that of 160an unfrozen row of packages is introduced between the plates at the topin any desired manner.

As shown in Fig. 16d, the plates are then moved inwardly to firmlyengage the load of packages therebetween and thereafter the two sweepswe and i5? move inwardly to engage the lower portions of the outer sidesof the two rows of packages shown which are then tilted when the platesare raised in the next movement of the apparatus. The plates are movedupwardly very gradually and the sweeps pushing in against the packagestilt them by pushing them against the head it? of the rail it, as shownin Fig. 16d. This, of course, frees the lower row of packages from thelowest row of packages remaining between the plates by disrupting thefrost adhesions between said rows. As the plates move upwardly the railE65 moves downwardly, permitting the sweep [56 to push both rows ofPackages and iii it the other sweep it] toward the left, as shown inFig. 162, until the packages are placed on the conveyer We as shown inFig. 16f. The sweep 556 may then be returned to its original position.In the operation of the sweeps a diiferential of pressure is maintainedbetween the sweeps so that sweep I55 always exerts a greater forceagainst the packages than the other sweep.

While the invention has been shown and described with particularity, itis contemplated that various changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention as indicated by theclaims.

I claim:

1. In a method of freezing flat-sided packages of uniform size betweenvertical refrigerated surfaces by conduction wherein the space betweenthe surfaces is filled with packages arranged row upon row and thesurfaces are in pressure engagement with the packages, the steps ofsupporting the packages against downward movement by supporting thelower row of packages at their lower edges, relieving the pressure ofthe surfaces against the packages and moving the surfaces downwardlytorupture frost adhesions between surfaces and packages, lowering theentire load of packages until the lowermost row of packages is below thebottom of the surfaces, adding an unfrozen row of packages at the top ofthe load, moving said surfaces laterally into pressure and holdingengagement with all the packages except said lowermost row, raising saidsurfaces and the packages held therebetween to the original height ofthe surfaces, and removing said lowermost row of packages.

2. In a method of freezing fiat-sided packages of uniform size betweenvertical refrigerated surfaces by conduction wherein the space between-'the surfaces is filled with packages arranged row .pon row and thesurfaces are in pressure engagement with the packages, the steps ofsupporting the packages against downward movement by supporting thelower row of packages at their lower edges, relieving the pressure ofthe surfaces against the packages and moving the surfaces downwardly torupture frost adhesions bet-ween surfaces and packages, lowering theentire load of packages until the lowermost row of packages is below thebottom of the surfaces, adding an unfrozen row of packages at the top ofthe load, moving said surfaces laterally into pressure and holdingengagement with all the packages except said lowermost row, raising saidsurfaces and the packages held therebetween to the original height ofthe surfaces, removing said loweanost row of packages by tilting thepackages thereof relative to the packages remaining between saidsurfaces as said surfaces are raised to thereby rupture any frostadhesions between said lowermost row the next adjacent row, andsubsequently conveying the packages away.

3. The method of removing an outer row of frozen, flat-sided packagesfrom an adjacent row of such packages to which it i attached by frozenadhesions and from between conduction freezing surfaces in pressureengagement with said rows, the steps of relieving the pressure of thesurfaces against said packages and causing said outer row to projectbeyond the edges of said surfaces, causing said surfaces to grip saidadjacent row of packages, and tilting said outer row of packagesrelative to said adjacent row thereby rupturing the frozen adheslonsbetween said adjacent row and said outer row.

4. In a method of freezing flat-sided packages of uniform size betweenvertical refrigerated plates by conduction wherein the space between theplates is filled with packages arranged row upon row and the plates arein pressure engagement with the packages, the steps of providing asubstantially planar horizontal package delivery surface below saidplates, supporting the packages against downward movement 'by supportingthe lower row of pack-ages at their lower edges, moving theplates-laterally away from each other to remove pressure from thepackages and substantially simultaneously -moving the plates downwardlyuntil they are a distance above thepackage delivery surface equal to theheight of a package, lowering the entire load of packages until thelower edges of the lowermost row of packages are in the plane oi. thepackage delivery surface, moving the plates laterally into pressure andholding engagement with all the packages except those of the lower row,raising said plates and held packages to the original position of theplates, and removing said lower row of packages by exerting lateralpressure thereon to cause said packages to move over said deliverysurface.

5. In a method of freezing flat-sided packages of uniform sizebetweenvertical refrigerated plates by conduction wherein the space between theplates is filled with packages arranged row upon row. and the plates arein pressure engagement with the packages, the steps of providing asubstantially planar horizontal package delivery surface below saidplates, supporting the packages against downward movement by supportingthe lower row of packages at their lower edges, moving the plateslaterally away from each other to remove pressure from the packages and,substantially simultaneously moving the plates downwardly until they area distance above the package delivery surface equal to the height of apackage, lowering the entire load of packages until the .lower edge ofthe lowermost row of packages are in the plane of the package deliverysurface, moving the plates laterally into pressure and holdingengagement with allthe packages except those of the lower row, raising.

said plates and held packagesto their original position,and'simultaneously breaking said lower row of packages away from thenext row by exerting lateral pressure thereon from one side below thecenters thereof and: providing an abutment .at the opposite side of thepackages above the area of exerted. lateral pressure, and subsequentlyremoving said abutment and moving saidpackagesaway over said deliverysurface.

6. In a method of freezing fiat-sided packages of food, providing a pairof opposed refrigerated surfaces, moving the packages intermittentlyfrom one end of said surfaces to the opposite end, and subjecting thepackages to progressively greater pressures from said surfaces from thetime the packages are introduced between the surfaces to the time theyare removed, the pressure on said packages being relieved duringmovement of the packages.

7. In a method of freezing flat-sided packages of unfrozen food,providing a pair of opposed refrigerated surfaces, introducing saidpackages between said surfaces at one point, intermittently moving saidpackages between said surfaces to another point and subjecting saidpackages to pressure from said surfaces during periods of rest of thepackages and relieving the pressure during movement of the packages, thepressure exerted being relatively greater on packages in said supportsupwardly a predetermined diswhich the contents are frozen than on thosein which the contents are not frozen.

8. In a machine having vertically disposed laterally spaced freezingplates between which packages of food to be frozen can be received,means for moving said plates toward and away. from each other, means formoving said plates vertically, a vertically movable package support andanti-icing fluid applicator structure normal: 1y positioned below saidplates and between the planes of opposed sides of adjacent plates, meansfor moving said structure a predetermined limited distance to bring itinto supporting engagement with the packages between the plates andmeans for moving said structure to the upper edges of said plates.

9. In a machine having vertically disposed laterally spaced freezingplates between which packages of food to be frozen can be received,means for moving said plates toward and away from each other, means formoving said plates vertically, means forming a horizontal packagedelivery surface below said plates, a vertically movable package supportnormally positioned below said plates with its upper surface in theplane of said delivery surface, and means for raising and lowering saidsupport.

10. In a machine having vertically disposed laterally spaced freezingplatesbetween which packages offood to be frozen can bereceived, meansfor moving said plates toward and away from each other, means for movingsaid plates vertically, means forming a horizontal package deliverysurface below said plates, a vertically movable package support normallypositioned be low said plates with its upper surface in the plane ofsaid delivery surface, means for raising and lowering said support, andmeans for tilting a package wholly projecting beyond the lower edges ofsaid plates and connected to a package between said plates by frostadhesions.

l1. In a vertical plate food freezing machine. a frame, verticallyarranged laterally spaced freezing plates between which packages of foodto be frozen can be received, vertically movable means carried by saidframe normally support.- ing said plates in a given position, avertically movable package support normally positioned below said platesand between the planes of opposed sides of adjacent plates, means formoving tance for supporting engagement with a row of packages betweenthe plates, and means for causing downward movement of the platesupporting means.

12. In a vertical plate food freezing machine, a frame, verticallyarranged laterally spaced freezing plates between which packages of foodto be frozen can be received, a hanger at each end of said frame, meanssupporting said plates on said hanger, and hydraulic means supportingsaid hangers for limited vertical movement.

13. A device as defined in claim 12 in which an odd number of plates areemployed and all but the center plate are mounted for limited movementon said hangers in a direction whereby said plates can be moved towardand away from each other in a direction at right angles to their planesof disposition.

14. In a device of the type described having vertically arrangedfreezing plates, package supporting means arranged below said plates formovement therebetween comprising elongated package supporting members, aplurality of rotatably mounted horizontal cranks below said members,each crank having a pair of spaced arms and a roller carried by saidarms, said cranks being normally disposed in position to support saidmembers in lower position with the members resting on said rollers, andmean for rotating said cranks to raise said arms and said members.

' 15. In a method of removing frozen fiat-sided packages of uniform sizefrom between vertical refrigerated surfaces disposed in pressureengagement with the sides of the packages, the steps of Supporting theedges of the packages disposed along a margin of said surfaces,relieving the pressure of the surfaces against the packages, moving saidsurfaces in a direction parallel to the sides of said packages in thedirection of the support to shear'frost adhesions between'the surfacesand packages, and moving the surfaces laterally away from the sides ofthe packages to permit their removal.

16. In a machine having vertically disposed laterally spaced freezingplates between which packages of food to be frozen can be received, apackage delivery surface below said plates, a sweep member movable oversaid surface, and a package abutment rail movable to a position oversaid surface, said'rail being constructed and arranged for' engagementwith a package depending below said plates on a side of said packageopposite said sweep and t a level out of alignment with the sweep, andmeans for actuatii said sweep into fl a ement with a package "to tiltthe same by forcing it against said rail.

17. For use in a device of the type described, means'for effectinglateral movement of a vertically disposed plate suspended from a frameand mounted for lateral movement, a plurality of bell cranks mounted onsaid frame for rotation about vertical axes to one side. of said plate,said cranks each havin a pair of vertica'lly spaced arms, a linkpivotally mounted 12 plates and between the planes of the opposite sidesof adjacent plates, and means for moving said support vertically.

19. The method of freezing fiat-sided articles between a pair of spacedopposed relatively movs able refrigerated plates during a predeterminedfreezing cycle, comprising the sequential steps of so laterally movingone of the plates relative to the other as to compress the articlesbetween the platesfor a predetermined portion of said cycle and then torelease said compression, then, substantially simultaneously with therelease of said compression, effecting relative movement as between theplates and articles in a direction parallel to the planes of the opposedsurfaces of the plates, and intermittently repeating said describedseries of steps throughout the remainder of said cycle.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the space between said plates ismaintained substantially filled with said articles throughout saidcycle.

21. The method of freezing flatesided articles between a pair of spacedopposed vertically dis-. posed relatively laterally movable refrigeratedI plates having an article support mounted for vertical movementrelative to and between said plates, comprising the sequential steps oflater. ally moving the first of the. plates towards the other far enoughtov compress said articles has tween the plates, maintaining the platesin said position during a predetermined freezingv period, moving saidfirst plate. in the opposite. direction to relieve said compression,substantially simul--. taneously with the, latter movement. effectingrelative movement in a vertical plane asbetween the articles and saidplates tobreak ice adhesion of thearticles, to the platesoccurring'during. said freezing period, and then movingthearticlesupport vertically downwardly between and relative to theplates to permit gravity movement offsaida anticles into. loweredposition between theplates.

on'e ach crank and pivotally connected to said plate, said cranks eachhaving an actuating arm, arod connecting the actuating arm of saidcranks, "and means for actuating one of said reeks! "'18. In a verticalplate food freezing machine, a frame, vertically arranged laterallyspaced freezing platesbetween which packages of food tobe frozen can bereceived, means supporting said plates on said frame for vertical andfor lateral movement, means for moving said plates vertically andlaterally, a Vertically movable Package support normally positionedbelow said ISAAC H. POLK.

REEEEENQ E 11E121 The following references are record in the; file. ofthis patent; 7

UNITED T TEsPAIsNTs Number Name. Date:

1,825,127- Hall Nov. 8, 1 932 1,998,431 Birdseye Apr. 23, 1935'2,242,527 Knowles: May 20, 194 1 2,3(17,54 8 Stone Jan. 5, 1943:2,329,746 Davison V Sept; 21, 1943 2,i 5,8 67 Kleist Dec. 7;- 1948-

